[Coro] Now, the choir of Graces
descends with Hymen*,
who with his golden face
inflames the hearts, made minister by Love.
Now Hesperus† shines,
and with tremulous rays gilds the heavens,
as a Sun among the stars, and a nocturnal dawn.

[Tenore] See, the beautiful bride
comes forth slowly
and ceremoniously.
Her beauty is enhanced by a thousand adornments.
Her hair is bedecked with gold,
and the golden treasures in her hair
are the everlasting flowers of gentle Spring.

[Canto, Basso] Her hair is gathered up
above her brow,
and descends rippling
like a golden snowfall about her lovely face.
Among the gems are ribbons
that bind her hair in braids
as it meanders in a thousand ways.

[Tenore] Lustrous pearls shine
among the gold and silk
and hang from her ears
like amorous laughter.
Golden mesh and snow-white crepe
are wound about her neck,
just as the Sun is wound about with his beautiful rays.

[Alto] Her crown is decked
with diamonds.
Her garments shine
with adornments of gold
and a proud cloak is draped
over the arms that will embrace
her happy lover.

[Quinto] She, the beloved, is seen
to be of ruddy countenance.
And now, Hymen calls her to engage
in gentle warfare with her sweet foe.
Her lovely cheeks are flushed,
but who can say if she is blushing
from modesty or love?

[Coro] The armies of Love join in battle,
facing each other.
On the battlefield the warrior
sees her adversary, the Lover.

[Tenore] See, the beautiful bride languishes, trembling,
and while she sweetly languishes,
her life’s blood pours out from her wound‡.

[Coro] Silence your garrulous song.
Do not disturb, with importunate calls,
their playful battle, and their delights.

* Hymen: The Roman god of marriage.

† Hesperus: The evening star (i.e. Venus at the times of the year when it is visible in the evening sky).

‡ There is a double meaning here. The image culminates the metaphor of lovemaking as warfare while it graphically describes the aftermath of the bride’s deflowering.